Displaying items by tag: greenhousetheatre

Sunday, 11 May 2025 08:46

Humble and Radiant: Charlotte's Web at Greenhouse Theatre

Mary Margaret McCormack as Charlotte in YPT's Charlotte's Web

The adage goes that you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends. Throughout our lives, we meet people we connect with who see the beauty and potential within us even when we can’t see it ourselves. People who simply get us. Friendship is one of the most magical experiences we can have in life. It’s no wonder this theme is so consistently visited in media, literature, and theatre and stands the test of time. There’s no better representation of the true meaning of friendship than that of Charlotte’s Web, now playing at Greenhouse Theatre Center.

Charlotte’s Web is a story about an unlikely friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider. On a small farm, a young girl is determined to save the life of a diminutive newborn pig. But the young animal’s fate remains uncertain until a courageous and determined spider spins remarkable webs to prove that “Wilbur isn’t just any ordinary pig!”

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The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago brings this beloved children’s classic to the Greenhouse Theatre Center for a limited run this May. Based on E.B. White’s Newberry Honor Award-winning story, Charlotte’s Web explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Artistic director Randy White says it best, “E.B. White’s beloved story demonstrates above all that friendship is immeasurably valuable.” With Renzo Vicente as Wilbur and Mary Margaret McCormack as Charlotte leading the cast, the Young People’s Theatre ensemble embodies the story’s themes of compassion, kindness, and perseverance, bringing humor and heart to a simple and timeless story.

Friendship is not only a theme of the play but also radiates throughout the cast and crew. Behind the scenes, the staff’s long-standing friendship and partnerships weave design magic that can be felt in every scene and one that Randy White acknowledges, “Staging a beloved family favorite with so many friends is a perfect way to bring to a close the YPT’s most successful and exhilarating season yet!” With a humble yet radiant set and spirited cast put on a simple, charming, and endearing production that young audiences can follow and mature audiences can appreciate. The Young People’s Theatre reminds us that sometimes all we need is a friend to believe in us, to fight for us, to remind us that we are remarkable just the way we are. Charlotte’s Web And sometimes, if we're very lucky, we get to sit right next to that person to take in a wonderful show.

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Charlotte’s Web is now playing on a limited run from May 10- June 1 at Lincoln Park’s historic Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Avenue). Run time is 1 hr and is best enjoyed by everyone 5+. For tickets and additional information, visit yptchi.org or call the box office at 773-404-7336.

Published in Theatre in Review

The Odd Couple (Female Version) Even Better than the Original!

Watching the talented, all female cast of The Odd Couple flesh out Neil Simon’s comedy was a refreshing treat. What a pleasure it was to see so many mature, funny women on one stage at one time. The Odd Couple is currently playing at Greenhouse Theatre on Lincoln Ave.

Kudos to director and producer, Robert Bills, for choosing this hilarious and female friendly 1985 adaptation by Neil Simon of his original “Odd Couple” written in 1965 about men. Even with my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre History, I was not aware that this play by Simon existed. I recently saw the original by a fine all-star cast at Northlight Theatre and felt that joke for joke, Simon’s female version had more laughs and comedic insights into the difficulties of divorce and the value of real friendship than the all male version we are so accustomed to seeing.

Jeff Citation winning actress, Elaine Carlson, as Florence/Felix Unger was believable and sympathetic, as her character slowly and painfully broke free from her tightly wound ball of nervous tics and OCD inspired cleaning habits.

The two roles of Florence’s first double date after separation still played by men in the female version were much funnier than the bland/ blonde female dates as written in the original.

Cesar Jaime as “Jesus” and Diagoberto Soto as “Manolo” deadpanned and dropped their few scenes onto the audience like little comedy bombs each one detonating with precision laughter.

I love Neil Simon comedies when they are done well and I highly recommend seeing this rare production of one of his finest, little known comedy masterpieces.

The Odd Couple (female version) is playing through November 10^th and tickets are $28. For more information visit www.greenhousetheatre.org.

Published in Theatre in Review

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